WORLD BRIEFING | MIDDLE EAST; Iran: Submarine Factory Reported

By NAZILA FATHI

Published: August 26, 2008

In the latest of a string of announcements on Iran's military capacity, Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najar said Monday that Iran had begun a submarine production line to equip its army for protecting the important oil shipping route of the Strait of Hormuz on the Persian Gulf, the Fars news agency reported. Mr. Najar said the submarine being built was capable of firing missiles and torpedoes. Weapons experts have said that some Iranian claims are exaggerated.